Music as Psychotherapy: Treating Children Aged 5–12 with Emotional and Behavioural Disorders
Music as Psychotherapy: Treating Children Aged 5–12 with Emotional and Behavioural Disorders
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Issue Date
2015-12
Authors
Pretty, Rebecca
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Abstract
Children with emotional and behavioural disorders rarely have the language skills to participate in traditional forms of psychotherapy. Preadolescents with EBD are often resistant to traditional psychotherapy. Therefore, it is necessary for Itinerant Elementary School Counsellors to develop therapeutic interventions that will engage children with emotional and behavioural disorders. Itinerant Elementary School Counsellors who are competent musicians should consider using music as a form of therapeutic intervention. The purpose of this research inquiry was to determine whether music could be used as a form of psychotherapy with children with emotional and behavioural disorders. A review of the music therapy literature was performed to determine the efficacy of music therapy improvisation and therapeutic songwriting. From the review of the literature, it seems that music therapy improvisation and therapeutic songwriting helps children with emotional and behavioural disorders learn to express themselves, develop social skills and coping skills, and gain a greater sense of self. Although the inquiry showed promising results in using music as form of therapy with children, further research is warranted for determining its efficacy on certain emotional and behavioural disorder.